Pile pulling machine



Nov. 5, 1963 P. GLAwoN PILE PULLING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May1l, 1959 1 m a d w, 3 1 y a 7 -w u NH .I r9 MMI 1 u e 1 Pm n a 44| hh 9A F 1 1 n v .m 9 u; "h1 ||.|.|Il V l um. u l n m -l n b .NM l 5 2 1 1 mz m n n m m m a .n m

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INVENTQR 75.# GT/a ya fr Nov. 5, 1963 P. GLAwoN 3,109,500

PILE PULLING MACHINE Filed May 11, 1959 2 sheets-sheet 2 INV ENTOR itedStates The present -invention relates to pile pulling machines. Pilepulling machines are known which comprise a pulling mechanism, a pullrod and ya striking plate and are surspended on a suspension device.These heretofore known pile pulling machines are so designed that thehammering mass formed by a piston or cylinder is driven by apistoncylinder system of an internal combustion engine. All pile pullingmachines of this type have in common that the pile pulling system issuspended yon a block and tackle of great pulling force which isconveyed to the pile to be pulled through the intervention of one ormore pull rods or pulling plie-rs. The effect of this block `and tackleis aided by a hammering mass acting in upward direction and striking`against a striking plate which is connected to the upper end of thepull rod so that with each hammer blow the pull of the `block and tacklewill briefly be increased yto a considerable extent. With such anarrangement, the striking mass formed by the pis-ton or cylinder isthrown upwardly directly by the pressure of the steam, by compressedair, or by the pressure of explosion gases.

In most instances, with pile pulling machines the pulling bar isarranged centrally for reasons of strength and durability while theworking cylinder is coaxially arranged with regard to said centralpulling bar. Such an arrange ment has the drawback that with diesel pilepulling machines, the required double seal of the piston on the cylinderwall and also on the pull rods extending through the cylinder causesconsiderable difliculties. Furthermore, such an arrangement makes itdiliicult to design the annular compression chamber in such a way that asatisfactory yand complete combustion of the fuel to be injected will beassured. In iaddtion thereto, the cooling and scavenging of the annularcross sec-tion of the cylinder causes considerable dilhcul-ties. i

For the sake iof completeness, it may be added that also compressedyair-driven pile pulling machines are known which comprise a pluralitycf piston-cylinder systems which are coaxially arranged with regard tothe pull rod of the striking mass for actuating the respective strikingmass. These cylinder-piston systems move independently of each other andin view of their non-synchronous operation subject the entire machine toa considerable harmful stress.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a pilepulling machine which will overcome the above mentioned drawbacks.

It is another object of this invention to provide a pile pulling machinein which the auxiliary power system will not exert any undue stress uponthe machine.

It is also an .object of this invention to provide a pile pullingmachine according to the preceding paragraph, which will include meansfor limiting the pulling force exerted upon the central pull rod.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear moreclearly from the following specification in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates partly in elevation and partly in section a pilepulling machine Iaccording to the invention.

FIG. 2 shows on :a scale considerably larger than that of FIG. 1 -asection through one of the cylinder-piston systems of FIG. l.

arent i tl'dll Patented Nov.. 5, 1953 The pile pulling machine accordingto the invention is characterized primarily in that a plurality ofcylinder-piston systems designed as internal combustion engines workthrough connecting -rods upon a striking mass common to all of saidcylinder-piston systems.

`In conformity with `a further feature of the present invention,intermediate the suspension device, as for instance a block and tackle,and the pull rod there is arranged an adjustable spring head which isprovided with means for limiting the pulling force exerted upon thecentrally arranged pull rod. As `a result thereof, the said central pullrod may be designed considerably lighter whereby the entire machinebecomes lighter.

In further development of the pile pulling machine according t-o thepresent invention, the fuel injection pumps are controlled by cam meansdesigned as longitudinal grooves in the circumferential surace of thepiston rod. li desired, these grooves also may serve the purpose ofpreventing rotation of the piston rod.

To simplify the design, the cylinder heads may be designed so as to formthe support for the cylinders. According to a `further feature of .thepresent invention, the pulling mechanism includes a universal joint Iandis provided with a plurality of adjustable fish plates, links or thelike for connection with `a plurality of suspension points of the pileor the like to be pulled. Such an arrangement has the important`advantage that the specific stress on the pile or the like to be pulledis reduced at the suspension point in view of the distribution of theload over a plurality of suspension points. Such an arrangement `alsomakes it possible to adjust the position of the individual bolts orlinks in conformity with the particular position of the suspension pointon the pile o-r the like to be pulled. v

lt has also been found that with pile pulling machines according to Itheinvention and with pile pulling machines with diesel operation ingeneral, it is highly advantageous to provide the cylinder head with `aglow plug. ln this way, the specific property of the ldiesel operationwith continuously glowing glow plug, namely that the working pressuresare considerably less than with other diesel methods, is exploited forpile pulling machines whereby the reaction upon the suspension may beconsiderably reduced.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the pile pulling machinecomprises a plurality of cylinders 1 having their cylinder heads 2mounted on a platform 3. Platform 3 is provided with a connecting member31 which in turn is connected to a pull rod 7 by means of transverebolts SZ. Each of the cylinders 1 has reciprocably mounted therein apiston 191 (FiG. 2). The pistons lill in cylinders 1 arranged axiallyparallel to each other, by means of their piston rods lliZ drive astriking mass 5 which is guided on a central pull rod '7. The strikingmass 5 conveys its power through the intervention of a striking plate 6firmly connected to pull rod 7, through the latter, and through a joint'7l at the lower end of pull rod 7 as well as through suspension platesor bolts 72 onto planks, piles or the like Ztl.

The entire device is by means of pull rod 7 suspended on a spring headgenerally designated with the reference numeral 14 while the pull uponthe large pull rod 7 may be adjusted for instance from 2O to 40 tons..rl`he spring head 1d comprises a frame 14a the bottom lill!) of whichhas a bore 14C through which extends the upper end of pull rod 7. rThisupper end has a groove 7a which is engaged by a plate 73 serving as anabutment means. interposed between the bottom 14h and the plate 73 is aplurality of springs 17 which may be secured in their respectivepositions in any convenient manner. The spring head 14 has connectedthereto a rod 74 with a handle 74a which latter has looped therearound acable 16 leading to pulling means, as for instance a winch, not shown inthe drawing.

In conformity with the present invention, the spring head 14 hasconnected thereto trunnionsV 75 with grooves 75a around which are loopedropes or cables 18 the lower ends of which are looped around similartrunnions 76 on a beam 71a carried on a pivot '71 of member 31. Thepulling equipment proper comprises bolts 72 which are swivelly connectedto beam '71a and at the bottom are attached to pilings 20.

In operation, the pulling force is conveyed from the pulling means suchas a winch through spring head 14, springs 17 and plate 73 to pull rod7. In this way, in conformity with the selection of spring 17 it may beobtained for instance that not more than 40 tons of pulling power areconveyed to the pull rod 7. rl`he ropes or cables 18 are so adjustedthat they are slack when the pulling power is low. dowever, when thepulling power is increased, the springs convey the maximum power, forinstance 40 tons, to the pull rod. When this maximum has been reached,the ropes or cables 13 will be taut, and the pulling force in excess ofthe desired maximum of 40 tons will be conveyed through said ropes orcables directly to the piles or the like to be pulled. This arrangementis of particular advantage when the upper soil layer consists of clayand the lower soil layer consists of gravel. Therefore, the pull must beadjustable.

The pulling equipment 71, 72 for connection with the rails or the likeis so designed that selectively one or more 'connecting or suspensionpoints may be used. Such an arrangment is of particular advantage whenU-shaped profiles are involved inasmuch as in this way a tearing out ofthe suspension holes on the rails will be prevented by the reducedsurface pressure. Individual suspension bolts or links '72 may berotatably arranged so that the pulling equipment 71, 71a, 72 may also beemployed for Z- profiles. V

The cylinders 1 are furthermore equipped with fuel pumps 9 with the fuelpipes 91 pertaining thereto and with an oil pump 12. with oil pipes 121.Fuel pumps 9 are operable for pumping fuel from a source, not shown, inresponse to reciprocation of a pump plunger in the pump 'which isbrought about by roller 9a on the plunger which slides on an inclinedgroove in piston rod 102.

The housing of valve S is provided with a connection 81 for connectionwith scavenging means, namely, a supply of air under pressure which, ata predetermined pressure in the cylinder will force valve open and causescavenging gas to pass axially through the cylinder and thereby blow theproducts of combustion out through port 103 while simultaneouslysupplying a new charge of clean gas to the cylinder. This will takeplace, of course, only when the piston has moved into position to openport 103.

The operation of the cylinder-piston systems itself will be evident fromFIG. 2 showing a cross section through one of the cylinder-pistonsystems. As will be seen therefrom, piston 101 is iixedly connected topiston rod 102 which latter is reciprocable in cylinder 1. Piston rod102 is provided with two grooves 10 which serve as cams for operatingthe fuel injection pumps 9 to cause them to pump fuel on the downwardstroke of the piston 101 and piston rod 102. At the same time, the saidgrooves 10 also prevent piston rod 102 and thereby piston 101 fromrotation. A small lubricating pump 12 (FIG. l) has a vertical plungerspring urged upwardly and said plunger having an upper end 12a which isengaged by member 5 on the retraction stroke of the said mass whereuponthe pump 12 is operated to pump lubricants. The lubricating `oilis'conveyed from a source, not shown, to pump 12 :and then throughconduits 121 to a groove 13 in the interior of cylinder 1. The cylinderpiston systems work according to the known two-stroke diesel method withuniflow scavenging-scavenging along the cylinder axis. The inlet iscontrolled by means of valve 8 which is an automatic valve f standardconstruction and opens automatically @1S ,$0,011 ,as the scavengingpressure exceeds the inner pressure of cylinder 1 following the openingof the outlet slots 163 by piston 101.

When the pistons 101 drop, they can pass over the outlet slots 103 inwell known manner and compress the air trapped in the cylinders 1.Shortly prior to reaching the lower dead center points of the pistons,the fuel is injected through a nozzle 21 of standard design into thecompressed and heated air, said nozzle 21 being mounted in the cylinderhead 2.

The fuel is injected into a kind of precombustion chamber 22 in cylinderhead 2 which precombustion chamber has its lower portion providedwithspiral bores 23 for increasing the preparation of the mixture.

For purposes of facilitating the starting of the engines, a glow plug 11extends into the precombustion chamber 22 and may be heated from theoutside by means of a ame or other suitable means. This arrangement isof particular advantage with diesel pulling means inasmuch as with glowplug operation the working pressure is considerably lower so that arelatively low reaction is exerted upon the suspension 74, 16 and themeans on which the latter is suspended.

The starting of the engines is accomplished by mechanically lifting mass5. The fuel pumps may then be manipulated manually to charge the linesleading up to the injectors. The glow plug, as mentioned before, isheated, as by a torch or the like. The mass 5 is then released and,since on its downward stroke, fuel pumps 9 are operated by the pistonrod 102, fuel will be injected into the cylinders and the engines willcommence to run. The air under pressure for scavenging the engines is,of course, made ready prior to the starting of the engines.

On the upward movement of the pistons 101, the holes 104 in the upperends of their respective cylinders relieve the air from the upper endsof the cylinders so that this air does not interfere with the operationof the engines.

It is, of course, to be understood that the present invention is, by nomeans, limited to the particular construction shown in the drawing butalso comprises any modications within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a machine for pulling piles, boards, and the like: a pull rod, astriking plate connected to said pull rod, connecting means supported bysaid pull rod for connection with the article to be pulled, a pluralityof cylinder-piston systems, each of said cylinder-piston systemscomprising a power operable reciprocable member, and a striking bodycoaxially arranged with regard to said pull rod and movable relativethereto for striking against said striking plate to thereby exert animpact on said pull rod, said striking body being common to andconnected to all of said reciprocable members for simultaneous movementtherewith.

2. In a machine for pulling piles, boards, and the like: a pull rod, anabutment plate connected to one end of said pull rod, a spring headcomprising a bottom portion slidably mounted on said pull rod in spacedrelationship to said abutment plate, spring means interposed betweensaid bottom portion and said abutment plate, said spring head beingprovided with means for connection with a lifting device, a strikingplateconnected to said pull rod, connecting means supported by said pullrod for connection with the article to be pulled, means connecting saidspring head withsaid connecting means operable to limit removement ofthe spring head upwardly for limiting the pulling force conveyed fromthe spring head to said pull rod, a plurality of piston-cylindersystems, each of said cylinder-piston systems comprising a poweroperable reciprocable member, and a striking body coaxially arrangedwith regard to said pull rod and movable relative thereto for strikingagainst said striking plate to thereby exert an impact on said pull rod,said striking body being common to and connected to all of saidreciprocable members for simultaneous movement therewith.

3. A machine according to claim 1, in which the cylinders of saidcylinder-piston systems are provided with a cylinder head forming asupport for said cylinderapiston systems.

4. ln a machine for pulling piles, boards, and the like: a pull rod,striking plate means connected to said pull rod and arranged coaxiallywith regard thereto, a plurality of individual power operable cylinderpiston systems respectively arranged on opposite sides of and in spacedrelationship to said pull rod, each of said cylin- 10 exert a drivingforce on said pull rod, said striking body being common to and connectedto all of said reciprocable members for simultaneous movement therewith.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,310,408 Boardman July 22, 1919 2,804,857 Haage Sept. 3, 1957 2,942,590Dornfeld June 28, 1960 FOREGN PATENTS 5,924 Great Britain lar. 9, 1914510,878 Germany Oct. 24, 1930 765,031 Great Britain Ian. 2. 1957

1. IN A MACHINE FOR PULLING PILES, BOARDS, AND THE LIKE: A PULL ROD, ASTRIKING PLATE CONNECTED TO SAID PULL ROD, CONNECTING MEANS SUPPORTED BYSAID PULL ROD FOR CONNECTION WITH THE ARTICLE TO BE PULLED, A PLURALITYOF CYLINDER-PISTON SYSTEMS, EACH OF SAID CYLINDER-PISTON SYSTEMSCOMPRISING A POWER OPERABLE RECIPROCABLE MEMBER, AND A STRIKING BODYCOAXIALLY ARRANGED WITH REGARD TO SAID PULL ROD AND MOVABLE RELATIVETHERETO FOR STRIKING AGAINST SAID STRIKING PLATE TO THEREBY EXERT ANIMPACT ON SAID PULL ROD, SAID